Transcript
Technology in ActionTechnology in Action
Chapter 6
Evaluating Your System: Understanding and
Assessing Hardware
Chapter Six ObjectivesChapter Six Objectives
• Buy or Upgrade• CPU function• Memory• Storage devices• Video• Sound• Ports• Reliability of system
To Buy or Upgrade?To Buy or Upgrade?
Consider:• Moore’s Law
– 18 months• Double the number of transistors
• Other advances in hardware– Storage
– Memory
– Peripherals
What Is Your Ideal Computer?What Is Your Ideal Computer?
Your Computer Uses:• Entertainment
• Educational
• Business
Ideal ComputerIdeal Computer
Some Possible Uses:• Word processing
• Digital photo work
• Spreadsheets
• Home financeMatch Components
to Your Needs:CPURAM
StorageOther
Match Components to Your Needs:
CPURAM
StorageOther
TrainingTraining
• Plan on training
• Sources– Classes– Online newsgroups– Manufacturers and publishers– Built-in tutorials
Assessing Your Hardware – Assessing Your Hardware – The SubsystemsThe Subsystems
• CPU
• RAM
• Storage
• Video
• Audio
• Ports
Central Processing UnitCentral Processing Unit
• Two major parts• Control unit
• ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
• Machine cycle• Clock speed
CPU UsageCPU Usage
CPU usage
CPU usage
Windows XP
Task Manager
Windows XP
Task Manager
Upgrading Your CPUUpgrading Your CPU
• Expense
• Speed
• Compatibility
• Method– Chip-for-chip– Piggybacking– Daughter board
Installing heatsink over
CPU
Random Access MemoryRandom Access Memory
• RAM
• Temporary storage
• Fast
• Memory cards
• Types of RAM
memorymemorymemorymemory
Random Access MemoryRandom Access Memory
• Installed RAM
• Task Manager– Performance tab
• Kernel memory
• RAM needs
memorymemorymemorymemory
System Performance and RAMSystem Performance and RAM
• Memory bound
• Virtual memory
• Page file page file usage
memorymemorymemorymemory
Adding RAMAdding RAM
• Limited
• Easy to do
memorymemorymemorymemory
Additional RAMAdditional RAM
Considerations:Type
Amount
Maximum you need
Maximum allowable
Total slots
Total open slots
memorymemorymemorymemory
StorageStorage
• Hard disk drive
• Floppy disk drive
• Zip disk drive
• CD drive
• DVD drive
storagestoragestoragestorage
Hard Disk Drive Hard Disk Drive
Compared to other storage:Large, economical
Fast data access
Fast data transfer rate
storagestoragestoragestorage
Hard Disk DriveHard Disk Drive
Considerations:Current capacity
Needed capacity
Software storage examples• Windows XP – 1.5 GB
• Word – 265 MB
• Internet Explorer – 75 MB
storagestoragestoragestorage
Portable StoragePortable Storage
• Floppy
• CD
• DVD
• Flash memory
• Zip
CapacitiesCapacities
Storage Media Capacity
Floppy disk 1.44 MB
Zip disk 100 to 750 MB
CD 700 MB
DVD 9.4 GB
Flash memory 16 MB to 1 GB
storagestoragestoragestorage
Floppy and Zip DisksFloppy and Zip Disks
• Portable
• Magnetized particles of iron oxide
• Organized by tracks and sectors
CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs
• Pits burned into disk
• Pits and non-pits translated to ones (1) and zeroes (0)
CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs
Types and needsCD-R
CD-RW
DVD-ROM
DVD-R
CD-ROM
DVD-RW
storagestoragestoragestorage
Possible Storage UpgradesPossible Storage Upgrades
• Hard drive– Internal
– External
• CD, DVD
• Zip drive
• Flash card
storagestoragestoragestorage
Video SubsystemVideo Subsystem
• Video card (video adapter)– VRAM– Screen refresh rates
• Monitor– CRT vs. LCD– Size
Screen Resolution – Tradeoffs Screen Resolution – Tradeoffs
Comparison of two screen resolutions
800 x 600 pixels
1024 x 768 pixels
Screen Resolution – Changing Screen Resolution – Changing
Audio SubsystemAudio Subsystem
Speakers:Amplified
Not amplified
Subwoofer
Audio SubsystemAudio Subsystem
Sound card:Expansion card
3D sound card
Surround sound • Dolby Digital 5.1
Card identification
Input and output jacks
Port ReviewPort Review
Types: Serial
Parallel
USB 1.2 and 2.0
FireWire
Ethernet
Evaluating System ReliabilityEvaluating System Reliability
First, routine file maintenance:Disk defragmentation
Edit startup folder
Remove temporary Internet files
Disk DefragmentationDisk Defragmentation
System CrashSystem Crash
• Double-check hardware and software installations
• With error code, check Microsoft Knowledge Base
• Ensure enough RAM
• Software updates
After EvaluationAfter Evaluation
Buy or Upgrade?• CPU• Memory• Storage• Video• Sound• Ports• System reliability
Evaluating Your System Evaluating Your System Topic SummaryTopic Summary
• Upgrade or buy new
• CPU function and evaluation
• Memory
• Storage devices
• Video output
• Sound quality
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